HD question

[gzyzwc]

I contacted my local cable company. (Time Warner) and asked if they transmitted in 720/1080. They seemed a bit confused by this, and the representative "looked it up" and said they do it in both.

So is this acurate, if I purchase a 1080p TV will I get a true 1080 picture on HD channels? Or is it really a 720 upgraded to fit on a 1080p screen?

Also I have a Oppo OPDV971H DVD. If I get a 1080p TV will I be viewing my DVD's in true 1080p quality? or do I need to upgrade to HD-DVD/Blu-Ray?

I am highly confused by the connection's reffered too. I am beginning to understand that even if I get a 1080p TV it does not mean that I will actually be watching 1080p quality. I want to see if the equipment I have will actually take advantage of a TV with it. I also hear alot about interlacing, what exactaly does that mean?


Thanks.

 

[markw]

Cabler companies differ, burt here's what comcast does,

I contacted my local cable company. (Time Warner) and asked if they transmitted in 720/1080. They seemed a bit confused by this, and the representative "looked it up" and said they do it in both.

My Motorola STB outputs everything in 1080i. But, I know for a fact that most of the local network affiliates transmit HD in 720. Only CW and PBS transmit in 1080i.

My guess.. the box upscales ti 10801

So is this acurate, if I purchase a 1080p TV will I get a true 1080 picture on HD channels?

See above answer. You might get 1080i depending on your STB, and most lilkly most of that will have been upscaled.

Or is it really a 720 upgraded to fit on a 1080p screen?

The only way you will get a 1080p source is with either HD-DVDor Blu-Ray. The best you can get without those is 1080i., and most of what the cable company sends you will probably be upscaled to whatever the STB allows.

Also I have a Oppo OPDV971H DVD. If I get a 1080p TV will I be viewing my DVD's in true 1080p quality?

"True"? No. Your TV should handle the interlacing issues automatically.

...or do I need to upgrade to HD-DVD/Blu-Ray?

Yes. As I said before, the only way you will get a 1080p source is with either HD-DVDor Blu-Ray.

Don't worry about the interlacing. You can't do much about that. Let your TV worry about that.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

or you could get a video-scaler, like a DVDO, but thats another $3k.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Odds are good that your cable company delivers all video in the native rate it was shot in. So, standard definition channels are shot, and broadcast, at 480i. Your HD shows are either going to be 720p or 1080i (not 1080p) video.

Nothing that is broadcast will be a perfect match for your 1080p display, but 1080i broadcasts should be upconverted very well if you have a quality 1080p display. Some people go cheap, and the quality of their 1080p display is 'lacking' to say the least.

For true 1080p: HD DVD or Blu-ray is the only way to do this right now. DVD is NOT HD. It is 480i video.

There are numerous articles about what interlaced video is vs. progressive scan video. I just don't have any links handy right now on the subject.